Reel



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST G. JOHNSON, 0F MONESSEN,`PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIG'NOR TO PITTSBURGH STEEL COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A` CORPORATION `Olli' PENNSYLVANIA.

REEL.

Specication of Letters Patent. Patented J 3,11. 18, 1921.

Application illed March 13, 1920. Serial No. 365,609.

To all whom it may concern:`

Be it known that I, AUGUST G. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Monessen, in the county of Westmoreland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Reels; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof..

My invention relates to reels for holding barbwire, plain wire or like material. U

The Object of my invention is to provide a strong and rigid reel formed of wire which will properly support the wire when wound thereon, and which will provide means for conveniently applying a pipe or bar to one end for convenience inunwinding". g

To these ends my invention comprises the novel features hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved reel; Fig. 2 is a plan view of one of the end members; and Fig. 3 is a view of one of the tie rods. y y

In the drawing, the numeral 2 designates the end-members of my improved reel which are substantially star-shaped and are formed of wire of proper gage to 'give the required strength and ri idity. These end-members are preferably Vormed of a single piece Aof metal, and the free ends are welded together by electricity or any other suitable method. The metal of the end-1nembers is bent or formed to give the radiating arms 3 which are preferably slightl tapering, and said arms are provided wit shoulder portions 4 formed by the opening 5. The inner ends 6 of the arms converge so as to form the closed ring-portion 7 at the center of the end-member. In this way provision is made for the introduction of a pipe or bar centrally of the reel for convenience in unwinding', as will more fully hereinafter appear.

The tie-rods 8 are likewise formed of wire of suitable thickness, and the ends of said y tie-rods are bent to form the loops 9 at each end thereof. These loops are adapted to engage the arms 3 of the `end-members and bear against the shouldersfi which limit the inward movement ofthe said tie-rods.

In assembling the members of the reel, the loops 9 of the tie-rods are slippedmver the ends of the arms 3 ofthe end-members, sufcient pressure being applied tO overcome the resistance due to the increasing width of the arms from their outer to their inner ends. the resiliency of the metal permitting said arms to yield suiiiciently to allow the loops to be forced over said arms until the shoulders 4 are reached, whereupon the loops will seat themselves and the arms which have been contracted by the loops movin over them will expand and so act to lock the tie rods securely in position against further inward as well as Outward movement.

When the reel has been assembled in this manner, is ready to receive the wire, and

the wire 1s shipped with the reel to the point of use. When it is desired to unwind the wire, a suitable pipe or bar can be inserted in the circular openin proper bearing for sudll convenience in unwinding.

What I claim is:

l. A reel comprising end members each of which consists of a single piece of wire bent in a single plane to form radiating U-shaped arms, the inner ends of said arms converging and then diverging without Over-lapping to form a circular opening at the center of each end member', and tie rods connecting said end members.

2.' A reel comprising end members each of which consists of a single piece of wire bent to formradiating U-shaped arms, the inner y ends of said arms converging into abutting relation without overlapping and then dif verglng to form a circular opening at the center of each end member, and tie rods connecting said end members.

In testimony whereof I, the said AUGUST G. J oHNsON, have hereunto set m hand.

'y AUGUST G. JO NSON. Witnesses:

Ro'r. D. FrmroN, JOHN F. WILL.

5 which forms a Y pipe or wire for 

